HOUSE BILL NO. 44 "An Act providing that a political use is not an authorized use of charitable gaming proceeds; prohibiting the contribution of charitable gaming proceeds to candidates for certain public offices, their campaign organizations, or to political groups; providing that a political group is not a qualified organization for purposes of charitable gaming; relating to what is a qualified organization for the purpose of charitable gaming permitting; and providing for an effective date." Tom Anderson, Legislative Aide to Representative Martin, was invited to join the committee to testify. Senator Phillips MOVED to adopt SCSCSHB 44, version "U". No objections being heard, SCSCSHB 44 was ADOPTED. Mr. Anderson noted the changes to the work draft. The first change allows public access to records on charitable gaming permits. He noted the change on page 3, lines 3-13, which removed double reporting. Page 5, line 13-15 further qualifies and defines groups that cannot receive charitable game monies. Page 6, lines 22-26, a political organization is defined. The language was provided by legal services, as a technicality. Finally, Section 14 and 15 allows the public access to public record, in the Dept of Revenue, Charitable Gaming, regarding reports by permittees, licensees, and vendors. Senator Zharoff asked what charitable gaming has to do with political parties? Co-chair Halford explained that it expands the definition of political groups in terms of campaign contribution prohibition as broad as possible, but still be a group. It leaves out individual candidates operating on their own. Otherwise, it broadens the coverage of the prohibition on contributions. Co-chair Halford reiterated the changes in the CS work draft. He stated that the first change proposed in the CS is to eliminate duplication. The second, is to broaden the definition of a political organization to include a campaign committee. The third, is to make all the reports of the Division of Charitable Gaming public record. This was done because when they moved to the Dept of Revenue, they ceased being public records under another provision. They were public in Dept of Commerce and Economic Development. He noted the last change, is the definition of net proceeds, where they may or may not be distributed. Senator Rieger put forth a technical question regarding raffles. He noted that in the bill, raffles is referred to as a form of charitable gaming. On page 5, it says, "that any portion of the net proceeds of a charitable gaming activity". Co-chair Halford clarified that raffles are separately defined in Section 8, page 5. Co-chair Frank MOVED to adopt an amendment which replaces the language on page 3, lines 14-17. He stated that the intent is that it is not the intent to take money out of their accounts, but rather, to have the books examined. No objections being heard, the amendment was ADOPTED. Senator Sharp MOVED to adopt SCSCSHB 44 (FIN) with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note. Senator Zharoff OBJECTED. The question is, shall SCSCSHB 44 (FIN) MOVE out of committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note? No further objection being heard, SCSCSHB 44 (FIN) REPORTED OUT of committee with a "do pass" and attached fiscal note of $46.5 from the Dept of Revenue. Co-chairs Halford and Frank, along with Senators Phillips, Sharp and Rieger recommended "do pass"; Senator Zharoff recommended "no recommendation".